Campaign of the week
Here at MNHQ, we think it makes sense to use the not-inconsiderable might of the Mumsnet collective for the greater good. So as well as our own high-profile Better Miscarriage Care campaign and Let Girls be Girls campaigns, we've begun to exchange web links and public support with charities and pressure groups in areas Mumsnetters have indicated they care about, such as special needs provision, child poverty, childcare, parenting, breastfeeding, maternity care and relationship support. Occasionally, where an issue arises that most Mumsnetters want to do something about, we'll try to make a bigger splash. Find out more about Campaign of the Week here.
Victim Support - Don’t Suffer Twice Campaign
Victim Support is a national charity which helps 1 million people a year. Its trained staff and volunteers give free and confidential information, support and practical help to anyone affected by crime, whether or not it has been reported and regardless of when it happened.
New sweeping changes to how victims and witnesses are supported, proposed by the Government, could mean less help for people when they really need it. Without proper support this could make victims suffer twice – once with the crime and again when society turns its back on them.
Victim Support is calling on people to help persuade the Government to change its mind by signing its online petition.
You can find more information about what the changes could mean for anyone who is a victim or witness of crime, and a link to the petition, on Victim Support's website.
Be a hero and support Children’s Hospice Week!
18-25 May 2012
Hearing that your child has a condition which means they might not reach adulthood can turn normal family life upside down.Children’s Hospices are often a crucial lifeline for families in this situation, offering care, support and much needed breaks.
It costs around £7000 a day to run a children’s hospice. They rely overwhelmingly on the generosity of the public to continue to offer their vital services.
Children’s Hospice Week is a special superhero themed week, organised by the charity Together for Short Lives, celebrating the amazing care provided by children’s hospices across the UK, and helping raise money for them.
The week culminates with Superhero Friday on 25 May – be a hero and get your family and friends to dress up as their favourite superhero to raise money for your local children’s hospice.
There are lots of events going on across the country. Visit www.childrenshospiceweek.org.uk to get involved.
C4EM: Coalition For Equal Marriage
The Coalition for Equal Marriage was set up in response to a much-publicised campaign opposing the government's plans to move toward greater equality for LGBT couples. Some fundamentalist Christian groups have expressed the opinion that gay marriage would be a 'grotesque subversion' and 'cultural vandalism', and are circulating a petition against the idea.
If you support the right of LGBT folk to get married, visit C4EM's site to have a look at the petition, respond to the government's consultation, and email your MP.
Because I am a Girl campaign
For 75 years, Plan has been working with children in the world’s poorest countries to help them build a better future. Millions of girls in the developing world are denied the choice to get an education, pursue a career or choose if, who and when they marry and have children.
Plan’s ‘Because I am a Girl’ campaign aims to support four million girls to stay in education and fulfil their potential - because, with education and the right support, girls can transform their lives and the world around them. If you've got a moment, have a look at their video to see the difference education can make.
Unfortunately, today:
· One in three girls globally is denied a secondary education.
· Every 3 seconds a girls is coaxed, coerced or forced into marriage.
· Pregnancy and childbirth is the leading cause of death for girls in the developing world.
You can join the Plan to support girls to get the education, support and choices they need to move themselves from a life of poverty to a future with opportunity. Do donate now if possible, or sign Plan's petition.
Get cooking with 5by25
According to the 5by25 campaign, almost 60% of young people leave home without the ability to cook a simple dish like a Spag Bol. If teaching your children to cook the basics is one of those 'must do (argh - soon!)' jobs that always gets pushed to one side, it's worth having a look at 5by25's site.
They want to make sure that all young people have mastered at least five basic recipes, from shopping-basket to table, by the time they're 25. They've got some great ideas for building children's confidence in the kitchen, and helping them understand the importance of quality food ingredients, from an early age - whether it's encouraging them to decorate a cupcake or helping them rustle up a juicy burger. You might even tempt them to enter the Master the Dish challenge...
Volunteering with Do-it
Do-it is the UK's first and most extensive volunteering website, run by charity YouthNet, providing a centralised system for volunteers to find opportunities to give their time helping local organisations and communities. The service has become the digital volunteering infrastructure in England, hosting up to one million opportunities to volunteer, searchable by postcode, plus articles and advice on finding the perfect role. Do-it enables people to volunteer however it suits them, helping people engage with communities by ensuring voluntary work is quick and easy to find. Find out more.
Angelus Foundation
The current trend of club drugs and legal highs amongst our young people is frightening. Last year alone there were 49 new substances: they are often a combination of Class B drugs and chemicals like paint stripper, plant food, bath salts and fish food and can cause severe psychosis, suicidal thoughts, depression, anxiety and panic attacks, flashbacks, heavy nosebleeds, difficulty breathing and, sometimes, loss of bladder control. The Angelus Foundation is demanding that the Government puts effective drug education on the National Curriculum to keep our children safe from harm. Go here to sign and share the petition. For further information visit the Angelus Foundation website.
WWF's Earth Hour
WWF's Earth Hour is a simple idea that's quickly turned into a global phenomenon. Hundreds of millions of people turning off their lights for one hour, on the same night, all across the planet.
But it's not to save an hour's electricity. It's something much bigger. WWF's Earth Hour is about people coming together to put the focus on this brilliant world we all share – and how we need to protect it. Not just for an hour a year, but every day.
To take part simply sign up now at Wwf.org.uk/earthhour and switch off your lights on 31st March at 8.30pm.
Find us on Facebook and Twitter. Plus, check out our Earth Hour celebrity chef menus, full of tasty food which is good for you, and the planet.
Get Involved in Parent Councils
When parents are involved in their child's education and in the life of their child's school children do better. Around 75% of parents say they want to be more involved. Those schools which are good at working in genuine partnership with their parents reap the benefits and often see a transformation in school culture and in home school relationships.
It is vitally important that schools respond to the real needs of their children and parents. Parent councils offer a way for you to have a voice and contribute to important school decision making.
Get involved and make a difference to your child's school! Visit Parent Councils UK to find out more about parent councils or come to an event to discuss how you could set one up in your school.
Start the day loving your food
An estimated one million tonnes of breakfast food - worth almost £2 billion – is thrown away every year – a waste of food and resources which has huge environmental implications. With 49% of adults saying they struggle to get through the day without breakfast, Love Food Hate Waste has lots of great ideas to help you make the most of your food at breakfast time. Why not try keeping your bacon in the freezer with a piece of greaseproof paper between each slice? You can then use a slice at a time and cook from frozen.
Click here for more great breakfast ideas and recipes.
EQUALS campaign
What does equality look like? March 8 is International Women's Day, and again this year Mumsnet is proud to be a member of the EQUALS coalition, which aims to get people talking about equality between men and women, in the UK and worldwide. We live in a world where one in three women will experience violence at some point in their lives, where women hold only 19% of the world's parliamentary seats, and where only about 24% of the people in mainstream broadcast and print news are female. Women perform 66% of the world's work, produce 50% of the world's food, earn 10% of world's income and own 1% of the world's property.
Head over to the EQUALS site to have a look at some of their 'debate starter' videos, download their Facebook app, and find events and film screenings near you.
Oxfam's 'Get Together' campaign
There are 1.3 billion people living in poverty worldwide, and more than two-thirds of them are women and girls. That's why Oxfam puts women's rights at the heart of everything it does. For International Women's Day Oxfam is asking UK women to hold Get Together events on or around 8 March to raise money for Oxfam, and support women around the world. Lauren Laverne, Miquita Oliver and Jane Sheperdson are among the women who will be holding Get Together events, which can be anything from a dinner party or car boot sale to a quiz night or tea party. Find out more about the campaign.
Home-Start
When parents suffer tragedy and hardship, their young children can suffer for a lifetime. That's because a child's experience in their first five years will dramatically shape the rest of their life. Home-Start is the only charity to go into homes nationwide to take the strain off families – often their only lifeline - before their situation becomes a crisis. Home-Start helps families cope so that they can provide the love and laughter their children need to flourish. For their today and their tomorrow, childhood must start now.
That's why Mumsnet is getting behind the Childhood Starts Now campaign to raise profile and funds so Home-Start can continue its vital work supporting more than 77,000 children and 36,000 families every year. Find out more: www.reachthechild.org.uk
CEOP and Safer Internet Day
It was Safer Internet Day on Tuesday 7 February, and to mark the occasion CEOP launched 'The Parents' and Carers' Guide to the Internet' – a light-hearted and realistic look at what it takes to be a good online parent.
With interviews from experts including Prof. Tanya Byron and Dr. Linda Papadopoulos, industry players like Facebook and Club Penguin and, most importantly, children themselves, this TV-style show aims to answer the trickiest of questions about family online safety.
In addition to this the CEOP team also launched a short 50's style trailer which aims to get parents and carers thinking about their children's online lives and a new website with comprehensive information and advice for parents and carers, further information is available from: www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents
Chatterbox Challenge 2012
The children's communication charity I CAN is inviting children across the nation to get chattering in its annual educational event for nurseries, pre-schools, childminding and community groups for children aged 0-5.
The Challenge is full of great activities to make learning communication skills simple and fun. This year they're asking people to organise a Chatterbox Challenge event around the theme 'Kids in Motion' to raise funds for children who struggle with communication. 1.2 million children in the UK have long-term difficulties with speech, language and communication, and need extra support in crucial areas like reading, learning in school, socialising and making friends, and understanding and expressing emotions and feelings. Visit the website to download a free activity pack.
NSPCC 'All babies count' campaign
Babies are more likely to suffer abuse and eight times more likely to be killed than other children. That's why the NSPCC is running the 'All babies count' campaign to prevent the abuse and neglect of babies.
If vulnerable parents are supported to care for their babies, it hugely reduces the risk of neglect and abuse. The NSPCC is delivering a number of innovative programmes that offer support, and provides a free helpline for anyone worried about a baby or other child. But we can't keep babies safe on our own. So we're calling on everyone – the public, professionals and governments – to ensure that all babies count.
By visiting nspcc.org.uk/allbabiescount and signing our petition, you can back our call on governments across the UK to ensure the right support is in place for all babies. You can also find information about how the NSPCC supports babies and parents, including our new free booklet for new parents.
If you are worried about a baby or any child today, even if it's just a doubt, contact the NSPCC Helpline 0808 800 5000 / help@nspcc.org.uk / text 88858.
(If you are texting from the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man, the free 88858 number is currently not available, text special number 07786 200001 – texts will be charged at your standard network rate).
A Fruitful School for all our kids 
Fruitful Schools is a really simple idea: to help children plant fruit trees in nurseries, primary schools, parks, open spaces and gardens. We'd like all children to grow up with access to fruit trees, and to enjoy the experience of picking and eating fresh fruit.
Schools are now very receptive to the idea of getting kids outdoors to learn. School orchards are a good fit with a range of curriculum criteria, and also fit beautifully with the school year: plant in winter, enjoy the blossom in spring, and harvest just as the schools go back in the autumn. Fruit trees are also low-maintenance.
Fruit tree-planting season is upon is right now, and continues to the end of March. Fruitful Schools supply orchard planting packs and advice on planting and care, so have a look at their website or drop an email to john@fruitfulschools.com to find out more.
Help to give children in care a Voice
Voice never turns away a vulnerable child in need. They're a national charity committed to empowering children and young people in care by providing information, advice and advocacy.
Voice runs a national free-phone helpline, and provides advocates who will go out, meet the child and ensure their situation is resolved.
They also provide specialist advocacy for children with disabilities, with mental health issues and for refugee children. They assist homeless young people, and help those who are negotiating the process of leaving care to live independently - as well as campaigning for changes in law, policy and practice to improve the lives of all children in care.
Do take a minute to find out more about Voice - and if you'd like to help them continue their vital work, you can do so here.
Royal College of Midwives' calls for 5000 more midwives
More babies were born in England in 2010 than in any year since 1972, whilst births to women aged over 30 were at their highest since 1946. The NHS is desperately short of midwives, and the shortage affects every region. The Royal College of Midwives is calling for urgent action from the Government, including a target to recruit the equivalent of 5000 more full-time midwives.
The RCM have organised a petition asking the Government to recruit those extra midwives into the NHS. They need 100,000 signatures, so if you have half a minute, do sign it - and badger your friends and family to do so too.
The Starlight Christmas of Happiness
At least 20,000 children will spend time in hospitals and hospices in the UK over Christmas. This year Starlight Children's Foundation hopes to bring magical wishes and festive entertainment to these children and their families.
Two of the children that will benefit from your support of The Starlight Christmas of Happiness are identical twin sisters Megan and Gracie. Diagnosed with leukaemia just days apart in 2009, they know how miserable it is to be poorly at Christmas.
Their mum Emma says, “Both girls had to have chemotherapy at home on Christmas day, which was heartbreaking; their father was being Father Christmas one minute and then giving them chemo the next.”
This Christmas, Starlight will take the twins to visit Santa in Lapland – a magical once-in-a-lifetime wish. With their family, they will enjoy sledging, reindeer sleigh rides and a meeting with Santa himself!
To help Starlight grant the Christmas wishes of children like Megan and Gracie, donate £3 by texting WISH to 70123. For more information, do visit the Christmas of Happiness site.
MSF Delivers
"It doesn't matter to me if you're an African woman or an English woman, I'm a woman and you're a woman and I will be by your side until your baby is born."
- Sam Perkins, MSF midwife
MSF Delivers is a campaign by emergency medical aid organisation Médecins Sans Frontières MSF (Doctors Without Borders), following the life and work of MSF midwife, Sam Perkins, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The campaign aims to highlight the life-saving work MSF's medical teams do in more than sixty countries around the world and to raise vital funds so that this work may continue.
Click here to see Sam's story.
[Main photo: Yasuyoshi Chiba]
mothers2mothers: helping mothers, saving babies
Every day, 1,000 babies in Africa are born with HIV, compared with only one a day in Europe and the US. Without treatment, half of all children living with HIV will die before age two. There is global consensus that mother-to-child transmission of HIV can be virtually eliminated by 2015.
mothers2mothers is working to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV with a simple and effective model: they educate, employ and empower mothers living with HIV to keep themselves and their children healthy. Mentor Mothers - women living with HIV - work alongside doctors and nurses to offer critical information and support to other women. One mother supporting another mother.
No baby should be born with HIV – and no mother should be powerless to protect her health and the lives of her children. You can help mothers2mothers eliminate mother to child transmission of HIV in lots of ways - for starters, you can watch their lovely video below.
Or you can...
- Join their virtual baby shower campaign
- Set up a mothers4mothers2mothers group
- Learn more and donate at www.m2m.org
- Read Annie Lennox's blog post supporting mothers2mothers
And do follow @m2mtweets on Twitter, and connect with them on Facebook.
Help Raise Awareness of Children's Rights with ChildHope on Universal Children's Day
“There is no trust more sacred than the one the world holds with children. There is no duty more important than ensuring… that their lives are free from fear and want and that they can grow up in peace.” – Kofi Annan, former United Nations Secretary-General
ChildHope's Universal Children's Day Campaign is asking you to spread the word on a very important issue: ensuring that girls and boys everywhere have the opportunity to enjoy a safe and secure childhood. We all want the best for our children and we similarly hope that other children in the world have the same chances. Unfortunately, many children do not.
ChildHope works with those children who do not. Children who are living on the streets or in slums, who are orphaned or alone, and who face poverty, violence and exploitation. ChildHope's experience demonstrates that it does not have to be this way, and with projects throughout Africa, Asia and South America, we are working to ensure all children enjoy a life free from injustice and abuse.
Please take a moment and mark Universal Children's Day by taking their Quiz to test your knowledge of the issues facing millions of children worldwide.
ChildHope's site has more information about the important work that they do transforming children's lives. There are many ways that you can make a difference, so do consider supporting their important work!
Get ready for Beatbullying's Big March 2012! 
Sit down and be counted! Join Beatbullying for the world's first virtual, global protest against bullying - the Big March - and call on the UN to enshrine explicitly in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child the right of all children to be safe from bullying, violence and the fear of violence.
Beatbullying's Big March 2012 is the world's first virtual, global march for children's right to be safe. Tens of thousands of virtual marchers will cross the websites of the world's biggest brands. They will speak with one voice, and call on the UN to enshrine explicitly in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, "The right of every child to be safe from bullying, violence and the fear of violence by their peers as well as from abuse by adults." Register now at the Beatbullying Big March site.
Take on homophobic language in anti-bullying week 
Education for All is Stonewall's campaign to prevent and tackle homophobic bullying and language, and create a more inclusive learning environment for all.
Recent YouGov polling for Stonewall showed that homophobic bullying in Britain's primary and secondary schools is almost endemic. And it isn't only gay young people who are affected. Homophobic bullying and language can be directed towards any pupil, simply for being perceived as 'different'. Teachers say that boys who are academic, girls who play sports, young people with gay parents, friends or family members, and young people merely perceived to be gay, experience homophobic bullying.
Schools have a duty to respond to all forms of bullying, but nine in ten teachers and non-teaching staff at secondary and primary schools have never received any specific training on how to tackle it.
Through the School Champions programme Stonewall works with schools to create a safe environment for all pupils. Ask your child's school what they are doing this Anti-Bullying Week and let them know about Stonewall's resources and the School Champions programme.
- Find out more about how to get involved during anti-bullying week
The Mayor's Fund: A Flying Start for London
A worrying 20% of London's children are currently leaving primary schools without the required standard in English and Maths. The National Literacy Trust has shown that poor literacy can lead to higher chances of unemployment, living in overcrowded housing, family breakdown and antisocial behaviour.
Since 2009, The Mayor's Fund for London has transformed the lives of 8,000 children. The fund is a non-political charity with the Mayor as patron, and it uses evidence-based programmes to raise aspirations, and improve the life chances of London's disadvantaged children.
Now they're fundraising for a new flagship numeracy and literacy programme, Flying Start for London, which launches this autumn and will operate in seven of London's poorest boroughs. It will combine parenting programmes with the best literacy and numeracy interventions in schools and children's centres - with the aim of embedding an enduring taste for learning and development in young children.
Currently, 630,000 children live in poverty in London – shockingly, that's four in 10 children. But with your help, all our children can be given the skills they need to get a decent job, and break out of poverty.
Giving Voice: Speech and Language Therapy Transforms Lives
Communication disorder is the most common disability seen in childhood, affecting up to 10% of children. The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists' Giving Voice campaign aims to promote better understanding of the unique and vital role of speech and language therapists (SLTs). Every day, SLTs work with a huge variety of people, from young children who stammer to older people recovering from stroke and other brain injuries. They aim to help give them a 'voice' by improving their communication abilities and addressing their swallowing, eating and drinking difficulties. With severe funding constraints across the public sector, these essential services are under threat.
Visit Giving Voice to show your support by uploading a speech bubble or recording a video message, or follow the campaign on Twitter (using the hashtag #givingvoiceuk) and Facebook.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month - five steps to help Breakthrough Breast Cancer
Breakthrough Breast Cancer fund ground-breaking research, campaign for better services and treatments and raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of breast cancer. Nearly 48,000 women and 300 men are diagnosed every year and nearly 1,000 women die from breast cancer every month - but the good news is that more women than ever in the UK are surviving breast cancer thanks to better awareness, better treatments and better screening.
This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Breakthrough is asking people to take just 5 simple steps to help them beat the disease for good:
Go Pink! Breakthrough Breast Cancer are working to stop the fear of breast cancer. Help them by signing up to Go Pink
TLC! Don't forget to Touch Look Check. Download Breakthrough Breast Cancer's app from ibreastcheck.com
Shop! Help Breakthrough beat breast cancer by visiting their shop - or support their life-saving work by donating what you can.
Bid! Breakthrough Breast Cancer have teamed up with the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation to raise £250,000 to be split equally between the two charities. Scoot over here to bid on some amazing prizes, ranging from a luxury holiday in the Bahamas to the exclusive use of Woodhall Manor with overnight accommodation for 25 guests.
Mencap's Spellathon
Ooh look, a sneak preview of Mencap & Digital Giving's revolutionary new take on spelling! It's called Spellathon, and it's a free global spelling game set in a futuristic digital universe. AND it features 'The Professor', a 3D bee character voiced by <drumroll> Stephen Fry!
It's fun, highly visual and can be played anywhere, by anyone - entrants can even compete LIVE against Stephen Fry in the 'Reverse Spellathon Challenge!' Children (and adults) can ask friends & family to sponsor them to improve their spelling, raising money for learning disability charity Mencap, and their own school. It's not officially unveiled till 1st November, but you can register here now to be part of the buzz. Good luck!
CO Angels are campaigning to get 10 million audible carbon monoxide alarms into homes across the UK by 2020. Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas that can come from all fuel burning appliances: gas cookers and boilers, fires and chimneys. The three women behind CO Angels have all lost loved ones to carbon monoxide poisoning, and are now trying to warn others of the dangers.
National Deaf Children's Society Fingerspellathon
There are 45,000 deaf children in the UK, yet most parents of deaf children have no previous experience of deafness, making expert help, support and information invaluable. This is where the National Deaf Children's Society (NDCS) comes in. Supporting deaf children and their families from diagnosis to adulthood, NDCS offers expert, impartial, emotional support and information to families and the teachers, doctors and services who work with them.
Each year NDCS runs its Fingerspellathon challenge in UK schools for children to learn how to communicate in sign language through fingerspelling, get sponsored and raise vital funds for NDCS. It's an active, fun way to introduce children to deafness and can support your child's spelling. October is Fingerspellathon month and the challenge starts this week - ask your child's teacher to sign up here.
The Variety Club is dedicated to improving the lives of unwell, disabled or disadvantaged children and young people by raising funds for specialist minibuses, wheelchairs, sports equipment, hospital wards, and all sorts of other practical solutions that enable individuals, projects and organisations across the UK to give a wider range of opportunities to the children in their care.
Sunshine Week and Day is a brand new curriculum-linked fundraising initiative aimed at children aged between five and 13. Schools that sign up are able to download everything they need to take part, including activities and lesson plans enabling them to learn more about the cause. The week culminates in a national Sunshine Day "call to action", when the participating schools can put on a fundraising event of their choice.
Tea for Troops - support our Armed Forces with a Big Brew Up
Here's a brilliant excuse to put the kettle on, raise a cuppa for a good cause, and support our Armed Forces. The Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association - Forces Help has launched its annual Big Brew Up campaign, and they're asking Mumsnetters to organise tea parties to raise vital funds for the Armed Forces, veterans and their families.
SSAFA Forces Help assists more than 50,000 people every year, from World War Two veterans to young soldiers injured in Afghanistan - anyone who has served for just one day is eligible for help when they need it.
Last year's campaign raised over £100,000, and a Big Brew Up was held in nearly every British military base - from Camp Bastion to Catterick - along with thousands of businesses and homes across the UK.
The Big Brew Up will take place this year from 3rd - 9th October, and all money raised will be put to good use to support serving and ex-service men and women. SSAFA Forces Help also focuses particular attention on families, providing assisted housing for families of injured service personnel at our Norton Homes, support groups, a confidential support line and also though our national network of branches in the UK and on military bases.
Find more info on how to host a Big Brew Up here - or call 020 7463 9310, or email thebigbrewup@ssafa.org.uk
Worried about bullying? Tell your school about the BIG Award 
Bullying in schools can be a devastating experience for children, and unsurprisingly it's a topic which comes up again and again on Mumsnet. As well as wondering how best to help their own children deal with bullying, Mumsnetters frequently express concern that their children's schools are not taking robust steps to prevent bullying, or dealing with it effectively when it does occur.
So 5 charities - Mencap, ChildLine, the Diana Award, Show Racism The Red Card, and EACH (challenging homophobia) - have come together to urge schools to sign up to the new Bullying Intervention Group (BIG) award scheme. The BIG scheme offers training and resources to schools and services, and the award is a consistent way of judging how well schools are doing in the battle against bullying - especially important during a period when new types of schools are being introduced, and local council services for children are being cut back.
The coalition wants you to help to get the word out. So, if you're worried about bullying in schools, and want to make sure that it stays at the top of the agenda, do tell your child's school about the BIG Award, and urge them to sign up.
The Go Folic! Campaign has one key message – women need to take folic acid BEFORE they become pregnant.
It's been launched by ASBAH (the Association for Spina bifida and Hydrocephalus) to help spread the word that women should ideally start taking folic acid (Vitamin B9) 3 months before conception, to help prevent birth defects of the brain and spine (neural tube defects) which can develop in the first 28 days of pregnancy.
Every day in the UK, at least two of the babies conceived will go on to develop neural tube defects such as spina bifida. Up to 70% of these could be prevented if women took folic acid at the right time and dosage. Have a look at the poignant message about the campaign from the mother of Hattie, a lovely young girl who has spina bifida, above.
Unfortunately, a healthy balanced diet is not enough for a healthy pregnancy - 400mcg of folic acid is recommended for most women. Folic Acid tablets are available from chemists, supermarkets and health shops - and many multivitamin formulas also contain 400mcg of folic acid, so do check the labels. A higher dose of 5mg is prescribed for those with a family history of neural tube defects or certain medical conditions, including diabetes.
The Go Folic! site has lots more information, and you can also sign up there for their free newsletter. There's a quirky video to share here - and do help them spread the word by liking the Go Folic! Facebook Page, and following the campaign on Twitter.
Help raise awareness of Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder with Pregnant Pause
Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder is believed to affect about 1 per cent of live births. It refers to a
spectrum of birth defects associated with the use of alcohol during pregnancy. Pregnant Pause is a charity that aims to raise awareness of FASD, and to remind pregnant women that they are advised to abstain from alcohol throughout their pregnancies.
Pregnant Pause is organising a national event at Euston Station on at 9.09am on September 9, during which hundreds of members of the public (men and women) will pose as pregnant women to raise awareness of FASD. If you'd like to join this event (or organise one of your own), have a look at the NOFAS-UK website.
Refuge's 1in4Women campaign
One in four women experience domestic violence at some point in their life.
This means that women close to you - sisters, daughters, friends or neighbours - could be at real risk. But it's a sad reality that only 16% of domestic violence is reported to the police, so most abused women suffer in silence - too scared or embarrassed to tell even their closest friends.
The 1in4women campaign, launched last week by the national domestic violence charity Refuge, and Avon, the company for women, is asking you to find out more about the signs of domestic violence - so you are empowered to support a friend who might be suffering in silence now, or in the future. The campaign includes a new Facebook app which you can use to find out how many of your friends may be experiencing abuse - do have a look, the results may surprise you.
It's not easy to know what to do when a loved one is suffering in silence, but there are things you can do to support them. The 1in4women.com microsite provides a wealth of information on how to spot the warning signs of domestic violence, and practical tips on how to support a friend or loved one who may be experiencing domestic violence.
So do visit www.1in4women.com and download the app to spread the campaign far and wide. Together we can put an end to domestic violence, by educating ourselves, and by speaking out.
Railway Children's CHANGE THE STORY campaign
Change The Story is a Railway Children campaign designed to help children living on the streets in the UK. Every year, an estimated 100,000 British children under the age of 16 run away or are forced to leave homes in which they suffer poverty, violence, abuse or neglect.
They find themselves living on the streets because there is nowhere else to go and no one left to turn to - and the problems they face there are often even worse than those they endured at home.
Railway Children want to make a difference for these children, by raising awareness of the issues and encouraging change. It's a movement for every child who has nowhere to turn and needs support.
Do sign their petition, and help persuade the government to commit more resources for these vulnerable children, ensuring they have somewhere and someone to run to, where they're not at risk.
DEC's Party Bag for Life East Africa crisis appeal
The worst drought in over half a century has hit parts of East Africa, affecting more than 10 million people. If you're going to be throwing a party for your child over the summer, how about donating the money you would have spent on party bags to the DEC appeal, and give cake and a thank you sticker instead? You can also donate at any high street bank or post office, by calling 0370 60 60 900 (24 hours), or by texting the word CRISIS to 70000 to donate £5.